The Fruit of the Spirit is actually a natural spontaneous occurrence that happens in our lives as we grow spiritually. Our character and personality is wonderfully shaped as we embrace God’s principles. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

Gentleness is important. Let’s now focus on the benefits of embracing gentleness within our marriage. You can develop a mutually beneficial symbiotically satisfying marital relationship where each partner is respected and appreciated!

Marriage is meant to be an endearing, beautiful, romantic, fulfilling, life long spiritual union coming together as one, between a man and a woman. Your marriage should be equally cherished by both of you. If this is not the case; time to get busy! You have some work to do! Dust off your vows, revisit, renew and now actually implement them within your marriage. Together working as a team you can accomplish great things together!

Your marriage should be or should become a priority if this is not the case. Did you know that you and your spouse are actually co partners in a covenant agreement? You have made promises to one another that go much deeper than a piece of paper! Your marriage will be what you make it… Learning to be sensitive, caring and gentle will help you build a cohesive, enjoyable healthy interconnected marriage. The well being of one another is a priority in this type of marriage. Embracing gentleness allows you to let your guard down with one another! Your weaknesses come to the forefront and you become transparent and open with one another and your trust deepens.

Marriage is meant to be an ongoing exciting life long quest together improving, growing, and becoming the best person you can be. You remain two separate individuals who are dedicated to growing together and working as an unbreakable team working side by side. You chastise and challenge one another. You also complement one another as well as build one another up!

Gentleness is important because it allows you not to hide behind the hard shield your personality must sometimes develops in order to protect yourself from the world and its influences. You must learn how to guard your heart. But within a good trusting marriage there is no need. For as your love deepens your heart remains open. You can instead allow your spouse to embrace you in a most tangible intimate way that is usually exclusively reserved for marriage. I must say you can enjoy one another even when you are not feeling well… You can not even utter a word and one another knows how the other is feeling. Spiritual “ONENESS” in marriage helps you to always keep a level of respect for one another. You build healthy boundaries around your marriage. You both commit to do what is best for the marriage. This is why you should not just join yourself to anyone!

When you invite the Lord into your marriage together you are able to weather the multiplicity of storms that life brings your way. When you disagree you stand firm but you don’t allow bitterness and strife to permanently nest itself between you. When one is down the other spouse brings comfort and maintains a healthy nurturing environment. It takes inner strength and security for Gentleness to be appropriately and sincerely expressed. In this case You both are truly equally yoked!

When you do not allow gentleness to become a part of your marriage your hearts instead harden. When you disagree you often become divided and resentment and unforgiveness instead sets in. This is why so many marriages end in divorce. One may often remain faithful as the other ones drifts… Rather than work through their difficulties and storms they begin to pull you further apart.

Marriage should not be full of drudgery hard harsh words continuous meaningless encounters and a lot of unhappiness. Life is too short. When you build your marriage upon trust and embrace the Fruit of the Spirit your marriage will flourish and endure! Time is precious and it passes by every so quickly.

Marriage is the oldest traditional institution known to mankind designed by God. It is the foundational relationship upon which the family was built upon. As you practice gentleness in marriage it becomes a part of who you are! You are better able to balance out the harshness that life so often presents. You have an abiding peace and comfort level between you. The core of who you are is openly shared with your spouse and you both are totally exposed to the Lord! You know that He really is Omnipresent. You both have committed to submitting to the Lord’s will and way in your lives by honoring your marriage vows. When a couple yields to the Lord His fruit will begin to multiply and manifests within their marriage. Gentleness allows your hearts to genuinely cleave together! What God has truly joined together man cannot pull apart…

Keep in mind; “GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR of confusion” I Corinthians 14 It is never too late to give God His place within your marriage. Remember; After all you made a vow.

The last and next very important part of the Fruit of the Spirit is Self Control. Embracing self control will help you in every area of your life!

Did you know that marriage is a sacred, intimate, holy relationship sanctioned by God between a man and a woman? After God created everything and saw that it was good; God saw that the man He had made did not have a helpmeet. The animals, the beasts of the field, the livestock, as well as the birds of the air all had someone to be with… See Genesis 1 for more information.

Adam was alone as a man without someone to help him and spend time with on a human level that he could relate to personally. He too needed someone to be by his side. God had compassion upon Adam. This is what He did; “So God caused Adam to fall in a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and brought her to the man.” Genesis 1. It is here that we get a comprehensible picture of God’s original design for marriage. Out of His goodness and love! God created marriage as a gift to Adam & Eve!

Adam and Eve were naked and they were not ashamed! At this time they were perfect for one another This is before they sinned and decided to instead disobey God and do their own thing. God gives us all free choice! Adam & Eve is the model template for marriage His way! He is the original designer and knows what is best for the man and woman He created. Marriage is serious business. Your marriage will be whatever you together decide to make it!

The goal of marriage is to experience the ultimate oneness that is possible between a man and a woman! Man and woman’s physical structures are anatomically and emotionally designed to fit together as one! Within the context of marriage they are to learn how to meet one another’s need for physical sexual intercourse within the boundaries of marriage! Reproduction and pleasure are possible which usually involves penetration as their sexual organs are joined together. Although sex happens quite often outside of marriage it is not sanctioned by God!

Adam and Eve were joined together and they were not ashamed. They had no limitations on their ability to flourish and grow until they decided to do their own thing. The good thing about marriage, this is where the man and woman can build physical and emotional intimacy in a lifetime committed relationship. Although many marriages in excess of 55% now result in divorce this is not what God intended. “Haven’t you read in the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said; ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19. Marriage between a man and woman in the eyes of God is good!

Take some time and look deeper into the WORD! When the LORD made the Man HE also made the Woman. He actually later took the rib bone of the Man He created and formed the Woman. This is why she is called “Bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh…” This is why it should be a natural desire to be together as one. Not only physically, but spiritually and mentally as well. This is why we anatomically fit together as one because we were made as one. There is power in unity when you allow the LORD HIS PLACE within your marriage, heart and home!

This is also why there is so much spiritual warfare to try and undermine GOD’S DESIGN for Man & Woman. Marriage is the 1st and only relationship design for “HOLY MATRIMONY” honored by GOD! Everything that GOD made was GOOD The spiritual warfare is designed to pervert everything GOOD that comes from the LORD!

THE LORD IS AWESOME! This is why it is so important to read & know HIS timeless WORD! As you read HIS LIVING WORD ask HIS HOLY SPIRIT to open up your understanding and reveal TRUTH! HIS WORD is necessary SPIRITUAL FOOD for our souls!

Today in this 21st century many marriages are falling short of God’s design, but this has not changed His original intentions. God designed marriage to be indissoluble! The pressures of society continue to press upon many to once again “do their own thing!” Please think long and hard before you commit or break your commitment to your marriage. There is much spiritual warfare to split apart marriages, to sow discord among spouses and families and disrupt God’s design for life and living. There are spiritual consequences that are not always apparent… So please be sure when you decide to say “I Do!” If not it is a good thing to remain single if you are not sure or have serious doubts! However it is your choice to have whatever type of relationship(s) you desire…

It is important to spend time with God to better understand His plan for your life.!

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, are all aspects of the Fruit of God’s Spirit! Loyalty, commitment, dedication, monogamy and integrity are some of the many components of a good marriage as well. We can experience unity and empowerment within our marriages as we rely on God’s principles for marriage. Relying on our own wisdom and the ways of the world often increases the risk of relinquishing the plan that God has for our lives! God is faithful! Faithfulness is the next part of the Fruit of God’s Spirit that we will discuss…

Patience is a marvelous virtue! Patience will help you discover a deeper perspective on what is really important. It affords you the ability to have fortitude and increasing self control as you put into practice the determination to not make hasty decisions. The Encarta Dictionary defines patience in this manner; “The ability to endure waiting delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.” It is not hard to see the immeasurable benefits of embracing patience within your marriage.

Embracing patience

When you begin to embrace patience in your marriage you make it a priority to think things through. Whenever either of you do become angry you should acknowledge and realize the need to activate patience. If you are not a patient person this is not at all easy. You have somewhat learned to blurt out however it is you are feeling and think later. This can cause you to say and do a lot of things that you will regret. You probably have become callous and a tad insensitive to how your spouse feels. When your heart is hardened you don’t think about it at all, because it is no big deal. It is important to know you are hurting your spouse and creating an unhealthy environment. Your spouse will not readily share with you because they dread or fear how you might respond.

Take a look in the mirror

If this is the case please do not let pride continue to get the best of you. Take a good look in the mirror and see if you like what you see looking back at you. Do you respond to your spouse the way that you would like your spouse to respond to you? You can change but it is up to you. If you have not been getting the results that you want all the more reason to make a change… There is hope and there is always room for improvement in all of us! Make it a a point to admit your shortcomings and strive to overcome your weakness. Stop making excuses and begin to take control by exerting more self discipline. Begin to harness and control your weaknesses.

Make your marriage a priority

Patience is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. When you embrace patience you welcome intimacy. Developing a deeper personal and intimate relationship with God the Father our Creator is most helpful. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for us. It is through Him we are able to experience the Fruit of His Spirit within our lives. He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us and comfort us. There is an inner peace that only comes from Him! “But hope that is seen is not hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8. A good marriage takes both spouses making the relationship a priority!

Patience and peace work hand in hand. Peace grows as we wait patiently on something we desire. You now learn to take time when before you rushed. You begin to value your spouse for the unique individual they are! God’s Fruit becomes apparent. Your marriage begins to flourish and blossom. John teaches us about the peace of God and its marvelous benefits. “But the Counselor the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace, I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid!” John 14.

The beauty of the Lord is; that all His Word is true! God is omnipotent; meaning that He is all powerful. Any weaknesses or shortcomings are or can become powerless when we yield them to Him! You can then become a better you. Working together you both become stronger and happier. Remember, it is important to be kind to one another!

God wants our marriages to be fulfilling. He wants to impart His love, joy and peace and patience to us! It is our choice to invite His presence into whatever is going on or happening within or around us.

It is important to spend time with the Lord each day. This way you stay attached to the source of all power! We can call on God at anytime wherever we are! The Fruit of His Spirit naturally begins to ripen within our hearts and our marriages when we do. Come what may we do not have to be dismayed or afraid when we choose to; “Be still & know that I am God!” There are marvelous benefits when you both embrace patience in your marriage!Part 5

Part 3God’s abiding Holy Spirit is what helps us to better understand the purpose of life. God, the Most High God has a plan for each of us. God loves us because He is Love! He wants what is best for each of us. God wants what is best for our marriages. Whenever you decide that you want a spouse. You should seek Him first and allow Him to help you better discern a suitable viable spouse that is best suited for you. Someone who is willing to grow with you and is committed to God’s design for marriage. Preferably someone who believes in God like you do. If you have already married someone who is an unbeliever, you should seek the Lord for direction and be prayerful.

In the Word you can find instructions on how to help you win your spouse over to the Lord, if he or she is a nonbeliever. “God is Love!” You must continue to embrace the principals of God by being a reflection of His love. Allow your spouse to experience God through you. God’s Love lasts through Eternity. Jesus Christ is the Door to Heaven. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Pray & intercede daily for your unbelieving spouse.

If you are already married to a believer you must both responsibly continue to seek the Lord for direction. Be mindful you both made a commitment to the Lord. If you are already married to a non believer you will need to continuously intercede for your unbelieving spouse who has not committed to the Lord. Either way we all need the Lord to be the center of our marriage! Inviting the presence of the LORD into your marriage is inclusive of success. “ALL things are POSSIBLE with GOD!” Good communication is necessary in building a strong healthy marriage.

Praying together keeps both of you as well as your marriage alive and refreshing. It also keeps the Lord in the center of it! Love flourishes when GOD is invited into the midst. If your spouse does not believe you must allow them to see the Love of God through you. It is important to know that the burden of being unequally yoked is mainly upon the spouse that does believe. Remember; God is a Way Maker! Life can get very complicated at times. You cannot undo anything that which has been done but you can begin right were you are today moving forward now trusting the Lord and allow Him to lead you! God’s Love lasts through ETERNITY!

We are living in some interesting times.

Today in this 21st century there is much controversy in regards to what should constitute marriage. It is important to know that God’s original design for marriage has not changed! The world continues to offer and support many various lifestyles and alternatives that are not sanctioned by the Lord. This is also why we have so much confusion as to what is right. There are so many heinous crimes, broken families, confused minds, mental illnesses, frequent divorces, spiritual & racial discrimination, extensive rising statistics in abuse situations of all sorts. Notice the vast number of climactic irregularities, modern day famines and blatant outright immoral behavior.

It is an abnormal norm in this day to see foreign and domestic terrorism that continues to persist and escalate throughout this world. GOOD is called evil & evil good… Lord Help us! Don’t fear; trust GOD & embrace HIS WORD! It is important to know that He has given us a wealth of wisdom within His Word to help us live healthy well rounded lives. There are consequences when we choose to go against what He has said not to do.

With the LORD in your life there is always hope! From the beginning of time the Lord has allowed us the freedom to choose. His Word has a multiplicity of examples that we can learn from.

We as believers should desire to have an intimate personal ongoing growing relationship with the Lord. He is our Heavenly Father, Creator & Maker! Above GOD is NO other power or principality that can even begin to compare. GOD IS OMNIPOTENT! We should desire to stay connected to Him daily walking steadfastly in the principles of His Word. “PRAY without ceasing!” Readily repenting whenever necessary and allowing Him to continuously conform us to the image of His son. God can free us from many of the stresses and strains of life and help us live happier, richer, fulfilling lives. No everything will not always go our way. Yes, we will experience persecution and often be misunderstood but it is well worth it. The world at large is not interested in what God has to say. Remember sin is what separates us from the Lord! When we are separated from the Lord we walk in darkness. Stay connected to the Lord through prayer.

We can be encouraged knowing that ultimately God has everything and everyone under His control! He patiently gives us the choice to choose HIS WAY! Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. In Him there is no darkness. Everything was spoken into existence through Him. In Him you can discover why marriage God’s Way is important and learn how to build a committed, fulfilling, loving, lasting, monogamous marriage that is honorable in His sight! “What GOD has joined together let not man put asunder.”Truly the LORD WILL or CAN BLESS your marriage with HIS indescribable, Love, Joy, Peace and so much more! As long as we are on this side of Heaven there is always room for improvement. Step out on faith and trust God! Truly our Lord is Faithful! Lord Bless You!

There are an endless expansive array of life lessons. We will encounter many upon traveling this remarkable journey during the course of life. If you are a believer getting to better know our Lord, Creator & Maker; “The Most High God” is most important. It is imperative to spend personal time in His Word! It is through His Word we are better able to understand why He has created us. Within His Word we are taught how to better navigate through the seen and unseen spiritual warfare that is designed to take us off course.

A little history how marriage began

Early on in His Word we are taught the origins of mankind and marriage. We can learn much from Adam & Eve who were the first married couple. The Lord created Adam first. He made them as one! “The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man that He had formed.”Genesis 2 The Garden of Eden is where the Lord intended for Adam & Eve to live a well-rounded abundant life. Here in Eden God had provided them within this marvelous lush green haven everything that they would ever need. He told the man Adam to attend the garden. He even told Adam “that from every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of GOOD & evil thou shalt not eat; for in that day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die. And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him.”Genesis 2

The Lord then provided Adam with a wife. She was created from his very own rib bone that was taken while he was asleep. The Lord brought the woman to Adam. Here we learn about God’s original superlative model for marriage. Did you know it was Adam that named Eve…

One Man + One woman = Marriage God’s Way!

Marriage God’s Way = One Man & One Woman

God has not changed His unique design. From the marital union of Adam and Eve, mankind that we know as the human race was birthed into existence by God. God told them to be fruitful and multiply.

My how things have changed in this 21st century. I realize that the Supreme Court voted against the WORD of GOD! But we who say we are believers have made a commitment to GOD’S WORD. That is why we are called believers. GOD is gracious and gives us all the freedom to choose. We must pray for discernment so we can better righteously judge what is or is not of the Lord!

Adam was an extremely highly intelligent man, so much so that he even named all of the animals. He was given dominion over everything that the Lord had created. In Adam’s original state he was innocent, sinless and created in the image of God. The Lord spoke to Adam directly. There are numerous references within the Word that confirms the origins of marriage between a man & woman. Adam is the forefather of the human race. Eve was actually named by her husband Adam, but this was only after she was seduced by the serpent. Before she and Adam were known as one and the same.

Eve was deceived and listened to the devil who was in the form of a serpent, instead of obeying God. Adam named her Eve because she was now to become the mother of all the living. Before she sinned GOD brought forth life peacefully from Adam. Now she would bear children in pain. She willfully chose to eat the forbidden fruit when God had adamantly told Adam that they were not supposed to do so. Eve then convinced Adam to do the same.

Adam knew better. Because of their disobedience, sin now enters their lives. They now longer feel welcomed in their God given Garden of Eden as their glorious habitat and their sin separates them from God. Therefore they hide and become ashamed for the very first time. They then hide in the trees from God who had given them absolutely everything! Adam & Eve hear the sound of the Voice of The Lord while He was walking in the garden. Adam and Eve were then banished from the Garden of Eden.

Today we can learn much from this lesson. It is important to know the Word of God for yourself. God knows what is best for all of us. Eve should have ignored the serpent and held fast to the Lord’s command. We must hold fast to our marriage vows. We should listen to God rather than to the world. Invite God into the center of your marriage. When we honor our marriage vows we honor God. We do not have to repeat the past but daily seek to improve our future. When you honor your “Own” husband you honor God. Always encourage one another to embrace the Will & Way of God!

God is The Great “I AM” and there is no other above HIM. HE is A GOD of order and we so need HIS WORD & HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide us in the path of righteousness.

Marriage is one of the greatest relationship commitments that a man and a woman can have. It is an agreement to Love, Honor, Trust and Respect your spouse for life! Marriage is also a covenant agreement not only between a man and a woman but it is an agreement with God. You both together pledge and make vows that should always be honored within your marriage…

If you are already married reflect back for a moment on your Wedding Vows. What did you pledge to one another? Those vows are so much more than words. So if you have not married and are planning on getting married really think about what you are agreeing or pledging to do! If you have been married before really think things through because you have been here before! You are entering into a contract not only of the letter but of the heart as well as legally.

If you are not married get wise counsel before you enter into marriage. In this 21st century more than 55% of marriages are ending in divorce. This should not be. Many enter into marriage not really intending to keep their vows. There are also many who are ignorant of what it really is all about … Too often there are many emotional issues that have not been properly addressed and they eventually begin to weigh the marriage down. Marriage has its mountaintops as well as valley experiences. It is important to know no matter how much you know about your fiancé there is so much more to learn. Marriage is a place where both spouses can grow as individuals as well as together! You want to make sure that you are willing to go through the valley with your spouse as well as share in the Joys & Celebrations before you are married!

Your marriage is or will be as strong as the foundation that you build it upon. God is the Creator of marriage. “But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD GOD cause the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he as sleeping, He took one of the man’s rib and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord mad a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.” Genesis 2. This is such a beautiful passage of Scripture. The man and woman was a precious gift from God to one another!

Adam no longer had to be alone without a companion. Listen closely to what he says: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman.’ For she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united with his wife, and they shall become one flesh. The man and the woman where naked, and they felt no shame.” Genesis 2. This is also why it is so important to keep God and His principles as the center of your marriage!

If you are already married make it a point to rekindle the passion and dedication that was apparent when you first came together. If you have allowed time, things and people to allow you to drift apart renew your commitment to one another. You can’t change what has happened but you can build a better future right now. What if we are not on the same page? Then it is time to have a serious discussion and make some plans for your path forward! Life is precious and you can’t get time back. So you really do not want to spend the majority of the time being uncertain and unhappy! You cannot change your spouse but you can have an intervention and confront what has or has not been happening! Remember speak the TRUTH in Love!

If you have kept your commitment and your marriage is flourishing then help, support and mentor other couples along the way. Those who are married or desire to marry encourage them to keep their marriage vows they have made or will make to one another! Life often takes on many twists and turns and will at times present some adversity! Let them know some of the joys and sometimes sorrows of marriage. How together they can celebrate the mountaintop experiences of life and build an ongoing loving, growing, principled, faithful, respectful and honorable marriage! Yes there still be some rain and there will be some tears. But there is nothing like a good rain to make you enjoy the sunshine! With the rain comes much growth! A good marriage brings much contentment and fulfillment! So get busy! Showers of Blessings from above awaits you! This is why it is so very important to know that marriage truly is a covenant agreement!
.Food For Thought “Before” and “After” You Say I DO!

Food For Thought Before You Say “I DO”

How Compatible are We? Ready for Intimacy? Commitment? The Marriage Bed? In-laws or Out-laws?
Many couples spend a great deal of time planning their wedding, but little time planning their marriage. They have not taken the time to have candid open discussion as to what happens after the wedding. Planning your wedding is important, but so is planning your marriage.
How Do I Love Thee:Food For Thought Before You Say "I DO" is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy. It addresses many of the major subjects couples should discuss prior to marriage.
An invaluable resource for those contemplating marriage.